Racing Tips

Sha Tin Racing Tips: Sunday, January 23rd

Tim Geers previews Sunday’s racing at Sha Tin with a look at the two Group 1s and his best bet on the card.

by
Tim Geers
23 January 2022

Group 1 racing in Hong Kong on Sunday afternoon with the Centenary Sprint Cup and The Stewards’ Cup headlining a 10-race card at Sha Tin.

Tim Geers previews both Group 1s below and provides an extra best bet which comes up in Race 8.

Find his Hong Kong racing tips below!

Best Bet: Race 8 – (4) Leslie

Race 1

D B Pin Hcp (C4) (1000m)
4:00pm (AEDT)

Race 1 D B Pin Hcp (C4) (1000m) 4:00pm (AEDT)
1. Island Shine (9) J: C Ho (59kg) T: P Yiu		34
2. Turbo Power (10) J: A Badel (59kg) T: K W Lui		6.5
3. Flying High (5) J: M Chadwick (57.5kg) T: W Y So		12
4. California Vanes (14) J: Z Purton (56.5kg) T: A S Cruz		4
5. Fortune Marbo (7) J: M Yeung (56.5kg) T: T P Yung		34
6. Happy Fat Cat (6) J: K Teetan (56.5kg) T: A T Millard		34
7. Lucky Gor (8) J: J Moreira (56.5kg) T: C Fownes		4.6
8. Splendid Star (3) J: H Mo (56.5kg) T: L Ho		101
9. Tsuen Wan Glory (12) J: H Bentley (56.5kg) T: K L Man		67
10. Kowloon East Star (13) J: R Maia (55kg) T: K H Ting		11
11. Cheval Valiant (2) J: L Hewitson (54.5kg) T: D Whyte		9
12. El Jefe (11) J: M Poon (54.5kg) T: C H Yip		6.5
13. Aca Power (4) J: H Lai (53kg) T: Y S Tsui		71
14. Give Way Please (1) J: K Leung (53kg) T: D A Hayes		21

Race 2

Able Friend Hcp (C2) (1400m)
4:30pm (AEDT)

Race 2 Able Friend Hcp (C2) (1400m) 4:30pm (AEDT)
1. Silver Express (9) J: V Borges (60.5kg) T: J J Size
2. Highland Fortune (1) J: A Badel (59.5kg) T: K W Lui		6.5
3. Hinchinlove (8) J: K Leung (58.5kg) T: T P Yung		8.5
4. Circuit Three (4) J: M Yeung (57kg) T: T P Yung		11
5. E Star (3) J: M Chadwick (56kg) T: K L Man		11
6. Roman Turbo (5) J: R Maia (55kg) T: C S Shum		21
7. Tempest Express (7) J: A Hamelin (54.5kg) T: J J Size		8.5
8. The Golden Scenery (6) J: J Moreira (54.5kg) T: A S Cruz		2.9
9. Setanta (2) J: K Teetan (53.5kg) T: K W Lui		3.5

Race 3

The Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m)
5:00pm (AEDT)

Race 3 The Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) 5:00pm (AEDT)
1. Sky Field (1) J: B Shinn (57kg) T: C Fownes		3.4
2. Wellington (2) J: A Badel (57kg) T: Richard Gibson		6
3. Courier Wonder (7) J: J Moreira (57kg) T: J J Size		4
4. Hot King Prawn (4) J: Z Purton (57kg) T: J J Size		7
5. Stronger (6) J: C Ho (57kg) T: D Whyte		14
6. Computer Patch (5) J: M Poon (57kg) T: A S Cruz		34
7. Super Wealthy (3) J: K Teetan (57kg) T: D A Hayes		12
8. Master Eight (8) J: M Chadwick (57kg) T: F C Lor		4.8

The first Group 1 of the day is The Centenary Sprint Cup. Many of these runners come out of the Hong Kong Sprint last start when there was a horrific fall which brought down half the field, so it’s hard to get a gauge on how much that affected a couple of runners.

(1) Sky Field won that Hong Kong Sprint and was the beneficiary of getting an uninterrupted run. Draws the inside today so should get a nice run once again and there’s every chance he wins again. Expect him to drift a bit in betting though – I think a few will take him on given he got everything fall his way last time out.

It’s D-day for (2) Wellington who drew wide in the Sprint and went back to last. He was only plain and his first up run wasn’t much better. He draws a low gate here to get a suck run and third up you’d hope to see improvement.

I’d suggest the double figure odds for (4) Hot King Prawn is over the odds. He might be a bit over the hill against some of these but he’s third up now and gets Zac Purton booked from a low draw. You can never underestimate a horse of his calibre in these races.

(8) Master Eight is the new kid on the block and tackles this company for the first time but Moreira jumps off to stick with (3) Courier Wonder.

Tip: (2) Wellington $5.00 Sportsbet

Value: (4) Hot King Prawn $11 Bet365

Betting Strategy: 1 unit WIN Wellington, 0.5 units WIN Hot King Prawn

Race 4

Helene Paragon Hcp (C4) (1400m)
5:30pm (AEDT)

Race 4 Helene Paragon Hcp (C4) (1400m) 5:30pm (AEDT)
1. Indigenous Realm (2) J: K Leung (60.5kg) T: K L Man		21
2. Lifeline Vision (6) J: C Ho (60.5kg) T: D A Hayes		8.5
3. Charge On (5) J: M Poon (58.5kg) T: D J Hall		12
4. Millennium Falcon (7) J: Z Purton (57.5kg) T: T P Yung		2.8
5. Beauty Live (12) J: J Moreira (57kg) T: F C Lor		4.6
6. Dandy Years (10) J: A Hamelin (57kg) T: C S Shum		17
7. Robot Warrior (13) J: H Bentley (57kg) T: P Yiu		11
8. Super Hornet (1) J: L Hewitson (56.5kg) T: D Whyte		34
9. Dassit (8) J: V Borges (56kg) T: J J Size		51
10. Nordic Warrior (4) J: B Shinn (56kg) T: Richard Gibson		21
11. Vukan (14) J: M Chadwick (56kg) T: P D O'sullivan		9
12. Win Charm (3) J: A Badel (56kg) T: K W Lui		41
13. Pride Of Dragon (11) J: R Maia (54kg) T: C H Yip		26
14. Jiangxi Stamina (9) J: K Teetan (53.5kg) T: W Y So		19

Race 5

Aerovelocity Hcp (C3) (1200m)
6:00pm (AEDT)

Race 5 Aerovelocity Hcp (C3) (1200m) 6:00pm (AEDT)
1. Jumbo Fortune (2) J: J Moreira (60.5kg) T: A S Cruz		5
2. Pegasus General (4) J: H Bentley (59.5kg) T: K H Ting		34
3. Team Spirit (10) J: M Poon (59.5kg) T: W Y So		9
4. The Crown (3) J: B Shinn (58.5kg) T: C Fownes		10
5. Regency Bo Bo (5) J: K Teetan (57.5kg) T: C S Shum		17
6. Excellent Daddy (11) J: Z Purton (57kg) T: T P Yung		4.6
7. Rock Ya Heart (8) J: C Ho (56.5kg) T: K W Lui		3.8
8. Here Comes Ted (7) J: M Chadwick (55.5kg) T: D J Hall		11
9. Ready To Win (9) J: K Leung (53kg) T: F C Lor		7
10. Turquoise Hope (6) J: L Hewitson (53kg) T: P D O'sullivan		41
11. Birdsville (1) J: M Yeung (51.5kg) T: D A Hayes		11

Race 6

Giant Treasure Hcp (C4) (1800m)
6:35pm (AEDT)

Race 6 Giant Treasure Hcp (C4) (1800m) 6:35pm (AEDT)
1. Darci Joy (4) J: M Chadwick (60.5kg) T: P Yiu		6
2. Decisive Action (13) J: R Maia (60.5kg) T: C S Shum		34
3. Pakistan Friend (3) J: K Teetan (60.5kg) T: W Y So		12
4. Ai One (12) J: B Shinn (58.5kg) T: D A Hayes		17
5. Smart Patch (6) J: H Bentley (58.5kg) T: P D O'sullivan		21
6. Big Brook (9) J: L Ferraris (58kg) T: C Fownes		7
7. Joyful Heart (5) J: K Leung (57.5kg) T: F C Lor		17
8. Shanghai Dragon (1) J: Z Purton (56.5kg) T: T P Yung		11
9. Super Elegance (8) J: A Hamelin (56.5kg) T: K H Ting		7.5
10. Red Elysees (2) J: J Moreira (55.5kg) T: K L Man		4.5
11. Flying Mighty (7) J: M Poon (55kg) T: D J Hall		11
12. Yes We Can (10) J: M Yeung (53.5kg) T: T P Yung		13
13. Light My Day (11) J: A Badel (52kg) T: C H Yip		11

Race 7

The Stewards Cup (1600m)
7:05pm (AEDT)

Race 7 The Stewards Cup (1600m) 7:05pm (AEDT)
1. Golden Sixty (1) J: C Ho (57kg) T: K W Lui		1.2
2. More Than This (7) J: K Leung (57kg) T: C S Shum		11
3. Waikuku (4) J: Z Purton (57kg) T: J J Size		7.5
4. Russian Emperor (3) J: B Shinn (57kg) T: D Whyte		26
5. Sky Darci (5) J: J Moreira (57kg) T: C Fownes		21
6. Healthy Happy (2) J: A Badel (57kg) T: F C Lor		16
7. Kings Shield (6) J: H Bentley (57kg) T: F C Lor		151

The second Group 1 on the card sees (1) Golden Sixty aiming to make it 20 wins from 21 starts and match Silent Witness’ record of 17 straight wins. He was dominant in the Hong Kong Mile last start and should account for these without any problems.

(2) More Than This ran a good race for 2^nd behind Golden Sixty last start and he has a good third up record so should be able to improve once again.

(4) Russian Emperor drops back to then mile after running 3^rd in the Hong Kong Cup behind Loves Only You.

Tip: (1) Golden Sixty $1.20 Bet365

Betting Strategy: No bet

Race 8

Peniaphobia Hcp (C4) (1200m)
7:35pm (AEDT)

Race 8 Peniaphobia Hcp (C4) (1200m) 7:35pm (AEDT)
1. Classic Moon (13) J: K Leung (60.5kg) T: W Y So		8.5
2. Pins Prince (1) J: J Moreira (60.5kg) T: J J Size		7
3. Marvel Dragon (3) J: K Teetan (58kg) T: T P Yung		8
4. Leslie (9) J: Z Purton (57.5kg) T: P Yiu		2.5
5. Amazing Victory (6) J: H Mo (56.5kg) T: L Ho		41
6. Encore (8) J: R Maia (56.5kg) T: C S Shum		41
7. Handsome Veggie (7) J: A Hamelin (56.5kg) T: D A Hayes		71
8. Sixth Generation (12) J: B Shinn (56.5kg) T: C H Yip		41
9. Baebae Tsoi (5) J: M Poon (56kg) T: F C Lor		5
10. August Moon (2) J: C Ho (55.5kg) T: P D O'sullivan		9.5
11. President's Choice (14) J: M Chadwick (54.5kg) T: Richard Gibson		21
12. Fantasy Spring (4) J: H Lai (54kg) T: Y S Tsui		101
13. E Brother (10) J: A Badel (53.5kg) T: K L Man		26
14. Durham Star (11) J: L Hewitson (53kg) T: D Whyte		31

(4) Leslie ran a good race on debut, coming from well of the pace to run home into 2^nd. Big jockey change today with Purton taking over. The draw is slightly awkward – there has only been one winner from 81 starters from barrier 9 over 1200m on the A-course this season, but it does tend to favour horses drawn middle of the line (barrier 8 is the most successful). Hopefully a good steer from Zac can be the difference.

Tip: (4) Leslie $2.40 Ladbrokes

Betting Strategy: 1.5 units WIN Leslie

Race 9

Seasons Bloom Hcp (C3) (2000m)
8:10pm (AEDT)

Race 9 Seasons Bloom Hcp (C3) (2000m) 8:10pm (AEDT)
1. Charity Go (5) J: Z Purton (60.5kg) T: C S Shum		6.5
2. Hit The Shot (10) J: V Borges (60kg) T: J J Size		19
3. Winning Dragon (1) J: K Teetan (60kg) T: A S Cruz		9
4. Entrusted (2) J: A Badel (58.5kg) T: W Y So		10
5. Enzemble (6) J: M Poon (56.5kg) T: K L Man		17
6. Helene Allibor (13) J: B Shinn (56.5kg) T: D A Hayes		9.5
7. King Tourbillon (11) J: H Bentley (56.5kg) T: Y S Tsui		21
8. Flying Turbo (14) J: L Hewitson (56kg) T: D Whyte		41
9. Intrepid Winner (7) J: A Hamelin (56kg) T: A T Millard		26
10. Nordic Sky (3) J: K Leung (55.5kg) T: A T Millard		11
11. Superbella (4) J: J Moreira (55kg) T: F C Lor		5.5
12. Vincy (12) J: M Chadwick (55kg) T: C H Yip		15
13. Chevalier Prince (8) J: M Yeung (53.5kg) T: F C Lor		4.4
14. Natural Storm (9) J: H Mo (51.5kg) T: P Yiu		21

Race 10

Beat The Clock Hcp (C3) (1400m)
8:45pm (AEDT)

Race 10 Beat The Clock Hcp (C3) (1400m) 8:45pm (AEDT)
1. Circuit Stellar (1) J: J Moreira (60.5kg) T: A S Cruz		4.5
2. Pegasus Hero (8) J: H Lai (59.5kg) T: Y S Tsui		51
3. Beauty Champ (10) J: Z Purton (58.5kg) T: C S Shum		15
4. Hall Of Champ (6) J: L Hewitson (58.5kg) T: C Fownes		11
5. Heza Beauty (9) J: B Shinn (58kg) T: J J Size		17
6. Navas Two (7) J: R Maia (58kg) T: Richard Gibson		3.5
7. Prime Minister (14) J: K Leung (57kg) T: P Yiu		8
8. Classic Posh (3) J: L Ferraris (56.5kg) T: D J Hall		31
9. Dragon Fortune (13) J: H Bentley (55.5kg) T: F C Lor		21
10. Seasons Bliss (4) J: C Ho (54kg) T: K H Ting		10
11. Kasi Farasi (11) J: M Poon (53kg) T: C H Yip		34
12. Nothing New (12) J: M Chadwick (53kg) T: D Whyte		10
13. Star Brite (5) J: K Teetan (53kg) T: K W Lui		12
14. Circuit Mighty (2) J: M Yeung (52kg) T: K L Man		15

Tim Geers

A trip to Hong Kong quickly had Tim hooked to the racing caper, maintaining the best place anywhere in the world on a Wednesday night is Happy Valley. He holds a strong interest in the Hong Kong form, along with the metropolitan racing in Sydney and Melbourne. He’s a fan of dry tracks, Zac Purton and takes particular interest in identifying patterns in the form. Tim wears many hats, juggling the roles of form analyst, jockey manager and racehorse owner.